AN: Biochemical studies of nerve cells and energy metabolism in Alzheimer’s disease

Biochemical studies on autopsy and biopsy samples emphasize the importance of the well-established presynaptic cholinergic deficit in Alzheimer's disease and show that both pre- and post-synaptic components of serotonergic synapses are reduced. Major improve-ments in mental function could require the development of novel centrally acting cholinergic and serotonergic drugs. However, even if the appropriate impulse generations were achieved, suspected disease-related abnormality in some cortical neurons and mitochon-dria may remain unconnected. The non-dividing human nerve cell is exposed to ageing processes over an extended period. In some brain regions, neuron popula-tions decrease with advancing age. Within the brain, local energy metabolism is closely correlated with local functional activity and both may decrease with ageing. Much earlier work stressed the importance of cerebral vascular disease but it now seems clear tha